Mediterranean Burgers
Photo: Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Dan Becker
To add Mediterranean flavor to your burgers, stir feta cheese, oregano, rosemary, and lemon zest into ground lamb or beef, then spread a kalamata olive paste onto the buns.
How to Make It
Step 1
1
In a bowl, combine feta cheese, oregano, rosemary, 1/2 tsp. pepper, and the lemon zest. Add ground meat and mix gently. Form into four 1-in.-thick patties.
Step 2
2
In a blender, whirl olives, dill, parsley, lemon juice, sugar, and remaining 1/4 tsp. pepper. Add 3 tbsp. olive oil, 1 tbsp. at a time, to make a smooth paste.
Step 3
3
Heat a gas or charcoal grill to medium-hot (you can hold your hand 1 to 2 in. above cooking grate only 3 to 4 seconds). Grill burgers, turning once, until browned on both sides and cooked through (cut to test), 10 to 12 minutes total.
Step 4
4
Split rolls and toast cut sides on the grill. Brush toasted sides with remaining 1 tbsp. olive oil and spread each with about 1 tsp. of the olive spread. Top with burgers, tomato, cucumber, red onion, and romaine.
Step 5
5
Note: Nutritional analysis is per burger.
Ingredients
6 ounces crumbled feta cheese
2 teaspoons minced fresh oregano
2 teaspoons fresh rosemary
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
1 1/2 pounds ground lamb or beef
1/2 cup kalamata olives, pitted and chopped
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon sugar
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
4 kaiser or other sandwich rolls
1 large tomato, sliced
1/4 medium English cucumber, thinly sliced
1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
8 romaine lettuce leaves
Directions
Step 1
1
In a bowl, combine feta cheese, oregano, rosemary, 1/2 tsp. pepper, and the lemon zest. Add ground meat and mix gently. Form into four 1-in.-thick patties.
Step 2
2
In a blender, whirl olives, dill, parsley, lemon juice, sugar, and remaining 1/4 tsp. pepper. Add 3 tbsp. olive oil, 1 tbsp. at a time, to make a smooth paste.
Step 3
3
Heat a gas or charcoal grill to medium-hot (you can hold your hand 1 to 2 in. above cooking grate only 3 to 4 seconds). Grill burgers, turning once, until browned on both sides and cooked through (cut to test), 10 to 12 minutes total.
Step 4
4
Split rolls and toast cut sides on the grill. Brush toasted sides with remaining 1 tbsp. olive oil and spread each with about 1 tsp. of the olive spread. Top with burgers, tomato, cucumber, red onion, and romaine.
Step 5
5
Note: Nutritional analysis is per burger.
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